This course examines concepts of culture that capture its highly nuanced, multi-dimensional and dynamic nature. Three recent approaches will be presented which are particularly meaningful because they focus on the multi-dimensional nature of culture. It will start with an early definition of culture, explore where the concept of culture comes from, and then introduce the three recent approaches in more detail.

The course will also reveal the iceberg model, the onion model and the cultural dimensions which are essential in any Intercultural course. These models try to explain the differences and similarities when comparing various cultures. Diversity of culture can be easily explained by the fact that we are all dealing with the same challenges: how to find food and shelter, how to structure our society, etc. The solutions that a specific group of people might apply will differ from group to group.

These models also increase our sensitivity of cultural values and demonstrate that not everyone has the same values.

 By the end of this module, you will have learned about:

·         culture as complex social construct

·         the definition of “world culture” of Hannerz, and his thoughts on how local and global cultures are connected

·         the “fuzzy culture” approach of Bolten, and his concept of intercultural competence

·         the UNESCO focus on culture as creative diversity, and its concept of “culture identity”

•          how to appreciate cultural diversity,

•          to be able to compare and contrast various cultures,

•          to understand your own cultural background,

•          to evaluate how useful the application of “cultural dimensions” is to your relationship with